# Ali — Almayer’s Folly character guide

> Ali in Almayer’s Folly by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the faithful Sumatrese Ali, Sambir Ali

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

Almayer's faithful Sumatran servant, silent at his master's elbow through every scheme and humiliation, the one steady presence in a household coming apart.

## Who they are

Ali serves Almayer with a loyalty that survives his master's failures, standing by him in the compound and on the river while others drift toward Lakamba or Abdulla. He is the quiet witness to Almayer's hopes and Nina's disappearances, a Sumatrese among Malays who belongs to no faction but his Tuan's. His constancy throws Almayer's isolation into relief and gives the early chapters their only reliable pair of eyes.

## Relationships

### [Nina Almayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/nina_almayer)

_social_

Ali is a familiar household servant to Nina, showing her quiet loyalty but remaining at a social distance.

### [Nina Almayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/nina_almayer)

_social_

Ali is a familiar household servant to Nina, showing her quiet loyalty but remaining at a social distance.

## In the story

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/xi)

Ali hides the canoe and assists Almayer in the escape, showing loyalty and practicality.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/xii)

Ali spots the prau's sail and alerts Almayer, observing his master's blank expression after Nina's departure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/ali
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters